By Olatunde Ajayi
Gunmen on Wednesday morning kidnapped, Mrs Olaide Adegoke John-Paul, 43,
the younger sister of Chief Bayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and a
governorship aspirant in Oyo State.
Also abducted with the minister’s sister were her twin sons, Peter and Paul, aged
12, who were being conveyed to school.
Mrs John-Paul is described as the youngest of five children of Mrs Olufunmilayo
Aduke Adegoke Adelabu
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred at the Bolumole area of Ring
Road in Ibadan.
Mr Femi Awogboro, the media aide to Adelabu, in a statement issued in Ibadan,
confirmed the incident to newsmen.
According to the statement, the incident occurred at 7:30 a.m. while Mrs John-Paul
was on her way to drop the children at school.
“Armed gunmen intercepted Mrs John-Paul in Ibadan and forcefully took her away
with the twins, who were with her at the time,” he said.
The abduction has sent shockwaves through the family and the wider political
community in Oyo State, given Chief Adelabu’s prominence as a former minister
and APC governorship hopeful.
Awogboro said that the incident has been reported to all relevant security and law
enforcement agencies.
Reacting to the incident, Chief Adelabu said that the family was deeply distressed
by the development but remain hopeful for the safe release of the victims.
He urged Nigerians to keep the family in prayers during this difficult period.
Adelabu also appealed to members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation,
and refrain from circulating unverified information that could jeopardize ongoing
security operations.
He stressed the need for caution in sharing details on social media.
When contacted DSP Olayinka Alayande, the Police Public Relations Officer, said
that investigation into the abduction had commenced.
Ayanlade assured members of the public that all necessary resources have been
deployed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those
responsible for this criminal act.
“Following the report of the incident, the Commissioner of Police, immediately
directed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Challenge Division, alongside other
tactical teams, to proceed to the scene where the victim’s vehicle was recovered
and to commence intensive investigations.
“Investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident
and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The command urges residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperative with
the Police by providing any useful information that may assist ongoing
investigations, “he said.
